An exposition of Solomons book called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seen and allowedAn exposition of Salomons booke called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seene and allowed

There is one alone. &c.

This vice the Poets also condemn, and worthily deride in their fables. For the covetous man enjoyeth not his gold, he only looketh on it, and yet his eyes are not satisfied, even as the Poets feign of Tantalus. For thus writeth Horace:⟨image 70⟩ The thirsty Tantalus doth stand, in water up to chin: And fain would of the River drink, that glideth by full thin. Laugh not (I say) for change the name, and then the tale is told: Of thee that heapest and sleepest upon, thy bags of gathered gold. Or as a man that fears to touch, some holy thing, art fain, To look and gape upon thy gold, or else from it refrain.

THis vice the Poets also condenme, and worthely deride in their fables. For the couetous man enioyeth not hys golde, he onely looketh on it, and yet his eyes are not satisfied, euen as the Poets fayne of Tantalus. For thus wryteth Horace:⟨image 70⟩ The thirstie Tantalus doth stande, in water vp to chinne: And faine woulde of the Riuer drinke, that glydeth by full thynne. Laugh not (I say) for chaunge the name, and then the tale is tolde: Of thee that heapst and sleepst vppon, thy bagges of gathered golde. Or as a man that feares to touch, some holy thyng, art fayne, To looke and gape vppon thy golde, or els from it refraine.

It is better therefore there be two then one, for of their labour cometh some profit. For if one fall, his fellow will lift him up. Woe unto him that is alone. For when he falleth there is none to lift him up. And when two sleep together, they shall one warm an other. But how shall one become hot. And though one may overcome one, yet two may make resistance: a threefold cord is not easily broken.